Digital health and social care project Liverpool 5G Create is celebrating double wins this week.
The project, funded by the Department for Media and Sport’s 5G Testbed and Trials Programme, scooped the Tech for Good award at the recent Prolific North Tech Awards and also took home the Connecting People award at the Cambridge Wireless Technology and Innovation Awards.
One of the project’s technologies, children’s anti-anxiety game Chill Panda, has also been voted a top-five mental health app by Medium.com
Liverpool 5G fought off strong competition for the Tech for Good award with the team securing the top spot for their work tackling the digital divide and promoting digital health equality in Liverpool.
Liverpool 5G’s project coordinator Bekah West and project lead Ann Williams, from Liverpool City Council, accepted the award.
Bekah said: “The Tech for Good award is a fantastic award to win. At its core, this project is about strategies for helping children manage worry or anxiety, helping people, reducing digital poverty and democratising health, social care and education. We’re delighted that this has been recognised by Prolific North and it was a privilege to accept this award on behalf of our diverse and talented team.”
The Chill Panda game has been designed by Liverpool games developers CGA Studios, alongside a child psychologist. The game will be trialed by children in the Kensington ward on wearable wrist devices and is currently available on Nintendo Switch and as a mobile app.
Chill Panda uses anxiety reduction methods like yoga, breathing exercises and mindful activities to reduce anxiety in children. The panda character meets friends like Wise Panda and Sporty Panda in their blossom filled island.
The Chill Panda game also received a rave review from Dr Micklewright, NHS Doctor and Digital Health Specialist, recently, in his review of mental health apps for children.
Liverpool 5G Create is led by the University of Liverpool with partners Liverpool City Council, Blu Wireless Technology Ltd, Broadway Partners Ltd, Liverpool John Moores University, CGA Simulation Ltd, Docobo Ltd, NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.